Nominations Announced for the 2019/2020 Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards

The nominees for the prestigious 55th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards have been unveiled.

Now, the countdown begins to the gala awards function on 22 March when the winners in this performing arts calendar highlight will be announced. The showcase is to be hosted at The Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.

Established in 1965, the annual awards known as South Africa’s leading performing arts competition, focuses on professional theatre productions staged in Cape Town and environs. It is sponsored by Distell and has served as launching pad for many of the country’s most prominent names in theatre, while honouring many of its most established talents.

Congratulating the latest nominees, newly appointed judging panel chairperson Africa Melane says the standard of entries remains world-class. “Each year we’re faced with a very difficult task of having to select from an exceptional, high-quality line-up. Once again, the nominees have set the bar high.

“Well done to everyone and thank you to my fellow judges for their time, dedication and passion.”

A total of 59 productions are in the running for top honours this year.

The panel assessing the productions comprised long-serving members as well as newcomers – all respected experts in their fields unified by unique perspective of the performing arts. Along with Africa Melane as chairperson, they include Dr Beverley Brommert, Maurice Carpede, Marina Griebenow, Thabo Makgolo, Mariana Malan, Roxy Marosa, Dr Wayne Muller, Tracey Saunders, Lwando Scott and Hadley Tituss.

Come the night of the final announcement, the awards will be presented in 24 categories. This will also be when the accolades to acknowledge stand-out innovation in theatre and lifetime achievement will revealed.

• Charl-Johan Lingenfelder | Statements After an Arrest under the Immorality Act

• Godfrey Johnson | Vaslav

• Neo Muyanga | Antigone (not quite/quiet)

• Neo Muyanga | Every Year, Every Day, I'm Walking

BEST PERFORMANCE IN AN OPERA - MALE

• Bongani Kubheka | La Serva Padrona | Uberto

• Makudupanyane Senaoana | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Tebaldo

• Thando Zwane | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Capellio

BEST PERFORMANCE IN AN OPERA - FEMALE

• Ané Pretorius | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Romeo

• Brittany Smith | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Giulietta

• Fleur Barron | Orphée et Eurydice | Orphée

• Nombulelo Yende | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Giulietta

• Siphokazi Molteno | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Romeo

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY

• David Viviers | Cellist with Rabies | Rabies Virus

• Edwin van der Walt | Koningin Lear | Corné/Junkie

• Marcel Meyer | The Glass Menagerie | Jim

• Marty Kintu | Florence| Porter

• Sanda Shandu | Richard III | Earl of Richmond/Dorset

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

• Anna-Mart van der Merwe | Koningin Lear | Sumien

• Cassandra-Tendai Mpanda | Richard III | Queen Elizabeth

• Indalo Benett | Florence | Marge

• Jenny Stead | The Glass Menagerie | Laura Wingfield

• Maggie Gericke | Equus | Dora Strang

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY

• Antoinette Kellerman | Koningin Lear | Elisabeth Lear

• Dorothy-Ann Gould | Family Secrets | Grazia

• Fiona Ramsay | The Glass Menagerie | Amanda Wingfield

• Indalo Benett | Wine in the Wilderness | Tommy

• Jennifer Steyn | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia | Stevie

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY

• Alan Committie | Richard III | Richard III

• Brent Palmer | The Room | Mike

• David Viviers | Macbeth | Lady Macbeth

• Graham Hopkins | Equus | Martin Dysart

• Nicholas Pauling | The Hucksters | Fred

BEST DIRECTOR

• Fred Abrahamse | The Glass Menagerie

• Mandla Mbothwe | G7: OkweBokhwe (Like/Of a goat)

• Maropeleng Molekoa | Scott

• Matthew Wild | Kinky Boots

• Mdu Kweyama | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia

BEST PRODUCTION

• Baxter Theatre Centre | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia

• Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre | Kinky Boots

• Magnet Theatre | G7: Okwe Bokhwe (Like/Of a goat)

• Morapeleng Molekoa | Scott

• Pieter Toerien | Equus

AWARD FOR MOST PROMISING STUDENT

• Basetsana Molepo | Afda

• Cantona James | University of Stellenbosch

• Chad Baai | Waterfront Theatre School

• Devonecia Swartz | University of Stellenbosch

• Ntlanhla Kutu | Afda

In tracking upcoming talent, the panel watched more than 35 student performances during the year. It reported the standard at the tertiary institutions has shown tremendous growth and that the trajectory of some students directly to the professional stage is testament to that.

The event breaks from tradition this year in that public tickets for the event, to be held at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town on 22 March, will not be available. Rather, the awards ceremony may be followed via the Fleur du Cap YouTube channel.

“Distell is a proud supporter of the arts. It has sponsored the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards for more than five decades,” says Bridgitte Backman, Distell’s Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs. “This year marks the start of a new decade and judging from the standard of nominees, an exciting one for the performing arts in South Africa. Congratulations!”

The 55th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are audited by The Finance Man, with legal services provided by Cluver Makotter.

The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are sponsored by Distell, Africa’s leading producer and marketer of a selection of top-quality spirits, wines, ciders and other ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, sold across the world. At inception in 1965, the awards were known as the Three Leaf Awards, becoming the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards in 1978 to celebrate one of Distell’s leading wine brands.

The panel of judges, chaired by a non-voting chairperson, is made up largely of local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators.

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